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Economy of Liberia vs Malta compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Liberia has a GDP of $5.25B compared to $27.8B for Malta, ranking 162/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

Liberia has $2.88B in government debt (54.9% of GDP), compared to $13B (46.8% of GDP) in Malta.

Liberia vs Malta GDP by year

Liberia
Malta
1x
Year GDP, current $
Liberia Malta
2025 $5,245,938,900 $27,771,821,561
2024 $4,779,300,900 $25,042,712,191
2023 $4,390,000,000 $22,625,329,776
2022 $4,001,047,000 $18,938,869,147
2021 $3,513,049,500 $19,730,119,031
2020 $3,176,126,300 $16,404,655,808
2019 $3,319,596,500 $16,337,788,881
2018 $3,422,754,800 $16,153,785,817
2017 $3,390,703,400 $14,161,374,599
2016 $3,398,419,600 $12,025,777,078
2015 $3,227,075,700 $11,340,789,706
2014 $3,225,652,000 $11,888,029,752
2013 $3,177,198,100 $10,796,780,874
2012 $2,791,614,000 $9,609,530,619
2011 $2,398,000,000 $9,789,363,086
2010 $1,998,000,000 $9,097,044,301
2009 $1,768,000,000 $8,769,897,418
2008 $1,726,000,000 $9,172,399,573
2007 $1,373,000,000 $7,908,412,374
2006 $1,119,000,000 $6,749,838,862
2005 $949,000,000 $6,393,234,965
2004 $897,000,000 $6,104,141,501
2003 $748,000,000 $5,418,315,225
2002 $927,000,000 $4,455,127,398
2001 $906,000,000 $4,070,867,153
2000 $874,000,000 $4,036,809,767
1999 $441,800,000 $4,111,857,836
1998 $359,600,000 $4,010,111,652
1997 $295,900,000 $3,787,023,655
1996 $159,400,000 $3,822,547,151
1995 $134,800,000 $3,709,396,089
1994 $132,200,000 $2,998,505,428
1993 $160,400,000 $2,709,193,538
1992 $223,500,000 $3,021,942,759
1991 $348,000,000 $2,750,216,747
1990 $384,400,000 $2,547,328,748
1989 $786,300,000 $2,118,655,677
1988 $1,038,300,000 $2,019,503,068
1987 $972,800,000 $1,751,293,461
1986 $840,964,400 $1,435,038,441
1985 $851,296,100 $1,117,797,439
1984 $848,478,300 $1,101,807,023
1983 $823,374,900 $1,165,729,707
1982 $863,933,200 $1,234,474,404
1981 $846,514,500 $1,243,509,394
1980 $854,711,500 $1,250,198,601
1979 $814,067,900 $1,001,288,847
1978 $717,240,400 $793,673,402
1977 $673,010,600 $625,563,171
1976 $596,675,700 $527,936,989
1975 $577,549,300 $474,618,321
1974 $486,955,000 $376,081,124
1973 $386,968,300 $345,616,106
1972 $368,098,000 $295,106,628
1971 $341,543,100 $264,578,485
1970 $323,099,700 $250,728,796
1969 $306,961,800 -
1968 $276,820,700 -
1967 $261,024,300 -
1966 $244,459,500 -
1965 $229,260,800 -
1964 $218,929,100 -
1963 $200,229,600 -
1962 $191,861,800 -
1961 $183,920,900 -
1960 $190,495,600 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/malta | CC BY

GDP per capita in Liberia vs Malta by year

Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Liberia Malta
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $915 - $47,907 -
2024 $851 $1,871 $44,024 $69,864
2023 $799 $1,795 $40,933 $67,057
2022 $745 $1,692 $35,659 $60,589
2021 $668 $1,539 $38,078 $56,852
2020 $617 $1,660 $31,823 $49,972
2019 $658 $1,900 $32,422 $51,393
2018 $692 $1,800 $33,382 $48,178
2017 $699 $1,665 $30,317 $45,764
2016 $715 $1,490 $26,459 $41,000
2015 $693 $1,340 $25,530 $38,369
2014 $707 $1,419 $27,425 $35,206
2013 $711 $1,360 $25,416 $33,138
2012 $638 $1,157 $22,878 $30,716
2011 $568 $1,041 $23,517 $29,426
2010 $492 $980 $21,947 $28,909
2009 $448 $939 $21,262 $26,782
2008 $452 $915 $22,406 $26,654
2007 $374 $873 $19,444 $25,012
2006 $321 $815 $16,654 $23,219
2005 $287.5 $774 $15,831 $22,227
2004 $284.1 $745 $15,212 $21,566
2003 $239.8 $716 $13,594 $20,813
2002 $299.5 $1,013 $11,251 $19,532
2001 $300 $987 $10,358 $18,435
2000 $298.5 $965 $10,348 $18,214
1999 $156.6 $762 $10,609 $16,898
1998 $134.7 $652 $10,408 $16,219
1997 $122.6 $548 $9,893 $15,465
1996 $71.4 $282.2 $10,062 $14,661
1995 $62.1 $254.4 $9,828 $13,950
1994 $61.5 $262.6 $8,000 $12,938
1993 $74.4 $328 $7,296 $12,103
1992 $107.8 $497 $8,220 $11,429
1991 $177.9 $793 $7,559 $10,784
1990 $172.9 $787 $7,192 $10,086
1989 $312 - $6,041 -
1988 $424 - $5,814 -
1987 $409 - $5,084 -
1986 $364 - $4,195 -
1985 $380 - $3,322 -
1984 $390 - $3,333 -
1983 $391 - $3,527 -
1982 $422 - $3,788 -
1981 $426 - $3,898 -
1980 $443 - $3,948 -
1979 $435 - $3,196 -
1978 $394 - $2,559 -
1977 $381 - $2,038 -
1976 $347 - $1,727 -
1975 $346 - $1,560 -
1974 $299.4 - $1,245 -
1973 $244.4 - $1,144 -
1972 $238.6 - $976 -
1971 $227.1 - $874 -
1970 $220.3 - $828 -
1969 $214.7 - - -
1968 $198.6 - - -
1967 $192.2 - - -
1966 $184.6 - - -
1965 $177.6 - - -
1964 $173.9 - - -
1963 $163.1 - - -
1962 $160.3 - - -
1961 $157.5 - - -
1960 $167.2 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/malta | CC BY

Liberia's GDP per capita is $915, ranking 184/197, compared to $47,907 in Malta, ranking 28/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871, while Malta ranks 25th at $69,864.

Economic indicators

Liberia Malta
Gross domestic product
$5.25B
2025
$27.8B
2025
GDP rank
162/197
2025
118/197
2025
GDP growth
5.02%
2024-2025
3.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$915
2025
$47,907
2025
GDP per capita rank
184/197
2025
28/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,871
2024
$69,864
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
188/197
2024
25/197
2024
Government debt
$2.88B
2025
$13B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
54.9%
2025
46.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$502
2025
$22,407
2025
Government debt per person rank
167/185
2025
30/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,467
2026
$22,914
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$5.35B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.1%
2016
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2016
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.4%
2025
37%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
8.3%
2024-2025
2.36%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
5.93%
2017
3.1%
2025
Population
5916561
586345

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Liberia
Spending

Debt
Malta
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Liberia Malta
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 22.4% 54.9% 37% 46.8%
2024 24.1% 56.4% 37.4% 46%
2023 28.6% 57.2% 35.8% 46.8%
2022 27.4% 54.4% 38.4% 50.1%
2021 29.8% 53.5% 39.5% 49.6%
2020 35.3% 58.5% 42.1% 48.6%
2019 32.3% 48.1% 34.9% 39.2%
2018 32.7% 36.2% 34.5% 41.4%
2017 35.1% 31.8% 32.7% 45.6%
2016 35.8% 28% 35.5% 53.1%
2015 37.1% 24.4% 37.8% 55%
2014 33.4% 24.3% 39.6% 60.7%
2013 27.4% 20.6% 40.1% 64.9%
2012 30.8% 20.5% 41.7% 65.6%
2011 29.8% 22.5% 41.5% 68.9%
2010 25.1% 25.4% 40.1% 65%
2009 24% 132.2% 41.1% 66%
2008 21.8% 235.3% 42.1% 61.5%
2007 16.1% 367% 41.2% 62%
2006 10.6% 451% 42.5% 64.5%
2005 11.7% 488% 42.5% 70.2%
2004 12.1% 543% 42% 70.4%
2003 8.98% 600% 45.6% 68.6%
2002 12.7% 464% 43.6% 65.1%
2001 12.1% 465% 44.4% 70%
2000 14.5% 468% 42.9% 64.4%
1999 - - - 69.8%
1998 - - - 66.4%
1997 - - - 60.8%
1996 - - - 51.5%
1995 - - - 45.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/malta | CC BY

In 2025, Liberia's government spending was $1.18B, accounting for 22.4% of its GDP, while Malta spent $10.3B, or 37% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 54.9% in Liberia and 46.8% in Malta, ranking 90/185 and 113/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Liberia

Malta
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Liberia Malta
2025 -1.41% -3.1%
2024 -1.8% -3.51%
2023 -8.55% -4.43%
2022 -5.82% -5.33%
2021 -2.5% -6.96%
2020 -4.02% -8.71%
2019 -4.92% 0.72%
2018 -4.7% 1.86%
2017 -7.14% 3.4%
2016 -3.83% 1.1%
2015 -3.74% -0.84%
2014 -4.92% -1.49%
2013 1.29% -2.19%
2012 -2.86% -3.31%
2011 -4.39% -2.99%
2010 1.16% -2.22%
2009 -1.4% -3.11%
2008 -2.7% -4.06%
2007 2.28% -2.05%
2006 4.23% -2.46%
2005 -0.51% -2.83%
2004 -0.56% -4.28%
2003 0.36% -9.04%
2002 -1.57% -5.62%
2001 -0.94% -6.5%
2000 -0.08% -5.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/malta | CC BY

In 2025, Liberia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $74.2M, equivalent to 1.41% of GDP. This compares to Malta's deficit of $861M, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Liberia recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Malta ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Liberia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.22% of GDP for Malta.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Liberia

Malta
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Liberia Malta
2025 8.3% 2.36%
2024 8.2% 1.65%
2023 10.1% 5.09%
2022 7.6% 6.15%
2021 7.8% 1.5%
2020 17% 0.64%
2019 27% 1.64%
2018 23.5% 1.16%
2017 12.4% 1.36%
2016 8.8% 0.64%
2015 7.7% 1.1%
2014 9.9% 0.31%
2013 7.6% 1.18%
2012 6.8% 2.38%
2011 8.5% 2.96%
2010 7.3% 1.52%
2009 7.4% 2.08%
2008 17.5% 4.26%
2007 11.4% 1.25%
2006 9.5% 2.77%
2005 6.9% 3.01%
2004 3.6% 2.79%
2003 10.3% 1.3%
2002 14.2% 2.19%
2001 12.1% 2.93%
2000 5.3% 2.37%
1999 2% 2.13%
1998 - 2.39%
1997 - 3.11%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/malta | CC BY

Over the past 27 years, Liberia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.3%, compared with 2.18% in Malta. In 2025, inflation was 8.3% in Liberia and 2.36% in Malta.

Top exports between countries

Liberia
Export category Export value
Malta
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $2.25M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.5M
Chemicals & pharma $76K
Machinery & equipment $56K

Balance of trade

Liberia Malta
Current account balance
$120M
2024
$1.78B
2024
Current account balance ranking
62/190
2024
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.51%
2024
+7.1%
2024
Goods imports
$1.51B
2024
$7.56B
2024
Goods exports
$1.31B
2024
$4.58B
2024
Service imports
$253M
2024
$17.4B
2024
Service exports
$42.6M
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
99.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2026
119.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Liberia Malta
Economic freedom 49.8 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 163/197 49/197
Property rights 40.4 85.5
Government integrity 25.8 54.3
Judicial effectiveness 23.4 80.2
Tax burden 86.1 68.5
Government spending 79.5 58.4
Fiscal health 56.9 63.2
Business freedom 38 83.2
Labor freedom 43.4 62.6
Monetary freedom 71.4 73.1
Trade freedom 57.4 79.4
Investment freedom 55 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Liberia
Malta
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Liberia Malta
2026 49.8 68.2
2025 48.5 66.8
2024 49.9 64.5
2023 49.6 67.5
2022 47.9 71.5
2021 49.2 70.2
2020 49 69.5
2019 49.7 68.6
2018 50.9 68.5
2017 49.1 67.7
2016 52.2 66.7
2015 52.7 66.5
2014 52.4 66.4
2013 49.3 67.5
2012 48.6 67
2011 46.5 65.7
2010 46.2 67.2
2009 48.1 66.1
2008 - 66
2007 - 66.1
2006 - 67.3
2005 - 68.9
2004 - 63.3
2003 - 61.1
2002 - 62.2
2001 - 62.9
2000 - 58.3
1999 - 59.3
1998 - 61.2
1997 - 57.9
1996 - 55.8
1995 - 56.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/malta | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Liberia is 49.8, ranking 163/197, compared to 68.2 for Malta, ranking 49/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Liberia Malta
Services, % of GDP
40%
2025
81.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.5%
2025
10.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.7%
2025
0.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$4.76B
2025
$24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,840
2025
$64,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$339M
2025
$1.54B
2025
Total reserves ranking
166/177
2025
134/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$397M
2024
-$6.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$472M
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$74.9M
2024
$36.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.12%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.9%
2016
16.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
18.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/liberia/malta | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.